MP reacts to Oldham foodbank statistics

January 8, 2018

From 1st January to 31st December 2017, 7,078 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people in crisis by Oldham Foodbank, compared to 5,554 during the same period in 2016. Of this number, 2,425 went to children.

The dedication shown by the volunteers at Oldham Foodbank, in supporting local people who are struggling to make ends meet, is inspiring.

Foodbanks should not be necessary in 2018 in one of the world’s richest economies. But, as things stand at the moment, we have a Conservative government that is determined to ignore the evidence of the misery their ideologically driven policies are creating here in Oldham, and across the country.

As Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, I have led Labour’s campaign to ‘pause and fix’ the Universal Credit (UC) roll out across the UK, added. I’ve repeatedly told the Government that the new Universal Credit system they are rolling out is flawed and causing unnecessary hardship to many thousands of people.

The Government must take heed of the evidence and pause the UC roll out until the system is fixed and fit for purpose.

Meet Debbie

Debbie Abrahams is the Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth and the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (suspended). She has been the Member … Read more